Irish Rugby Player Of The Year Nominees Revealed

Photo Credit ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

The Irish Rugby Union Players’ Association has today unveiled the nominations for the Zurich Irish Rugby Players’ Awards, taking place on the 4^th of May at the DoubleTree Hilton Hotel Dublin.

Ten awards will be given out at the ceremony, culminating in Irish rugby’s ultimate accolade being presented – the Zurich IRUPA Players’ Player of the Year Award.

For the first time ever the four shortlisted nominees of the main award consist of one from each Irish province – Rory Best (Ulster), Robbie Henshaw (Connacht) Jack McGrath (Leinster) and CJ Stander (Munster).  Voted on by their fellow professional teammates, the four finalists have been selected based on consistent form across the Pro 12, Champions Cup, Challenge Cup, World Cup and 6 Nations.

The Nevin Spence Young Player of the Year – an award which Henshaw has won for the last three years – will also be announced.

This year it is contested by a host of talented young players who have stormed onto the scene. Leinster have two representatives in Gary Ringrose and Josh Van Der Flier, whilst Ulster’s blockbusting midfielder Stuart McCloskey rounds out the trio. The three players have had breakthrough seasons for their provinces with the latter two making their debuts for Ireland in the 6 Nations.

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